Club Sponsorship

OS 65

Our new Club, has been offered sponsorship by a local bike shop.

What could a small club expect to get?

We have under 20 members since getting established in January this year. Joining the SCU would clear out our club funds so sponsorship sounds attractive.

We decided to grow the club in small steps and the prospective sponsor likes this plan, he even said he didn't need to be named on the jersey to begin with. He wants to sponsor us because we're in our early stages and members mainly ride sportives. He wants to see his shop appearing on sportive start sheets.

Once affiliated to the SCU (£230 for sponsored clubs) we want to organise open events and plan to run a club 10 next year, so we'll need some money to cover things like stop watches, numbers and warning signs etc

Plus there are the usual things like stamps, stationery, engraving of trophies (we got a couple of those donated) etc

He has suggested a substantial discount in the shop to club members. but should we ask him to contribute to club kit too?

Thanks in advance

OS 65

LangerDan

I can't comment on the amount mentioned but the approach seems to be very sensible on both parts. The only caveat I can offer relates to clothing - if a sponsor agrees to pay a larger amount in return for his logo on your gear, get the money up front. More than one club (our own included) has had a sponsor bail out after one year - sometimes for valid reasons, sometimes 'cos he was a cowboy - but the logo stays on for the life of the gear.

andrewgturnbull

Hi there.

Shop discount is all very well, but it won't get you anywhere - and it won't actually cost the shop anything either. All he's doing is cutting into his profit margin and shifting stock to people who would probably gone to wiggle otherwise. I can get 10% to 15% percent discount at about half a dozen different shops due to affiliation with the triathlon, bike and running clubs I'm in.

None of these shops are official sponsors - they just know whats good for business.

To be a title sponsor I'd be asking for more than that - you need cold hard cash for expenses and prizes for your promotions.

Cheers, Andy

ps Which is the club and shop?

Bronzie

OS 65 wrote:

What could a small club expect to get?

I'd have thought somewhere in the region of £500-£1000 as a ballpark but it very much depends on the owner of the bike shop and how well their trade is in the current climate.

OS 65

Thanks for the responses
I'll let you know the sponsor once the deal is but the club is West Lothian Clarion
OS 65

chuckcork

For gear related to holding events you could probably get some on hire or loan from the SCU.

If it is an official race they would likely have some strict requirements anyway, its unlikely you could afford the equipment.

Develop other contacts if you can, a number of clubs around have more than one sponsor, helps if the main one bails out.

andrewgturnbull

OS 65 wrote:

Thanks for the responses
I'll let you know the sponsor once the deal is but the club is West Lothian Clarion
OS 65

Clairion? Have you considered approaching Tommy Sheridan for sponsorship?

;-)

Cheers, Andy

OS 65

Yeah, but we wouldn't get very good coverage in the News of the World :roll: